ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH PROFESSIONS

GRADUATE PROGRAM IN PHYSICAL THERAPY

 

Course Syllabus

I.          COURSE TITLE:         PT 6241Research II                

            COURSE CREDIT:     I Graduate Credit (Offered Spring I)

            CLOCK HOURS:       Variable

            INSTRUCTOR:           Shawn Drake, Ph.D.

 

II.         COURSE DESCRIPTION:

            This course is designed to be a mentor-protégé experience.  The course represents the second semester of this process.  The student will proceed to conduct research under the direction of a faculty member.  This research will be based on the previous semester's work that culminated in a comprehensive literature review.  Two semesters will follow in a similar format.  At the completion of these courses the student will have produced (alone or in conjunction with the mentor) a product of scholarly quality, suitable for presentation and/or publication. Prerequisite: PT 6141. (Spring)

 

 

III.       COURSE RATIONALE:

            Physical therapists practice in a variety of settings.  Such a dynamic and diverse discipline must be supported by a scholarly pursuit of new knowledge and perspective.  For this reason it is important that the curriculum of the Graduate Program in Physical Therapy at Arkansas State University provide the student exposure to problems and situations that serve as motivating, enlightening, and challenging avenues for scholarly endeavors.  It is also important that students and faculty enter into scholarly relationships that provide growth, both professionally and intellectually, for individuals, the program, and the profession.  In the previous research course the student began the process of an original investigation.  This course is intended to serve as a means to proceed with that effort.

 

IV.       COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course the learner will be able to:

 

1.         Construct a research hypothesis using the information gathered in the process of literature review that was carried out in the previous course. (Cog-Synthesis)

 

2.         Compare and contrast possible research designs and methodologies in order to select the most appropriate design and methods for the problem to be addressed. (Cog-Analysis)

2.1       Review various research designs and methodologies, including both quantitative and qualitative. (Cog – Comprehension)

2.2       Analyze methods and designs for appropriateness of fit to the selected problem for research. (Cog-Analysis)

 

3.         Demonstrate proficiency with regard to theories of measurement. (Cog – Application)

3.1       Critically review information related to measurement and scaling. (Cog-Comprehension)

3.2       Apply appropriate measurement technique for data collection. (Cog-Application)

 

4.         Assemble chapter three of the research proposal (Methods) to form a scholarly paper to serve as a formal research proposal. (Cog-Synthesis)

 

5.         Construct the documentation necessary to obtain approval from an Institutional Review Board concerned with the protection of human subjects so that the student may proceed with the proposal research. (Cog-Synthesis)

 

6.         Organize and deliver a defense of the proposed research before a body of mentors/ scholars. (Cog-Synthesis)

 

7.         Apply the approved methods to begin data collection related to the approved research project. (Cog – Application)

 

8.         Identify possible sources of funding (internal and external) to support the research effort. (Cog – Comprehension)

 

Learning Opportunities:

            This course will focus on the development of chapter three of the research proposal.  Students will be led through readings related to design, methods, measurement, and protection of human subjects.  These issues will be synthesized into the production of the written product.

 

            Interaction with the university Institutional Review Board will also occur.  Before actual data collection begins, the student will defend the research proposal before a committee of the faculty.

 

Measurement of the Objectives:

            The objectives of this course will primarily be assessed by the quality of the written research proposal, the oral defense of the proposal, and the effective interaction with the IRB.

 

V.        COURSE SCHEDULE

            Weeks 1- 2                              Identify Precise Questions to be Asked

                                                            Develop Hypotheses    

 

            Weeks 3- 4                              Develop Methodology

                                                            Identify Instruments as Indicated

                                                            Submit Draft of Methodology Section

 

            Weeks 5-6                               Develop Proposal for IRB as Indicated                                                                         Submit Proposal

 

            Weeks 7-15                            Initiate and Proceed with Data Collection When Proposal is Approved.

                                                                        Seek Funding

 

VI.       COURSE REQUIREMENTS

            Students are expected to:

                        Develop a Research Hypothesis

                        Develop a Methodology to Test Hypothesis

                        Complete and Submit a Proposal to IRB

                        Begin Data Collection Once Proposal is Approved

 

 

            EVALUATIVE CRITERIA

                        The students grade for this course will be based primarily on the completion of an acceptable research proposal

 

                        - An "A" for the course would be defined as completing the required sections and IRB approval with the first attempt.

 

                        - A "B" for the course would be defined as completing the required sections and IRB approval after the 2nd attempt.

 

                        - A "C" for the course would be defined as completing the required sections of the paper and IRB approval after the 3rd attempt.

                        - An "F" for the course would be defined as;

1.  Failing to complete the required sections.

            - An "I" can be given for the course if the mentor believes the work shows promise, the student is committed to the research, and more time will likely result in an acceptable product.  If an "I" grade is given, the student must complete the work in the semester that immediately follows.

 

 

VII.      SPECIAL FEATURES

            This course will provide an opportunity for the student to work individually with the faculty.  Several opportunities for professional socialization will present.

            This course will include the opportunity to become knowledgeable regarding the ethics of research involving animals and humans as subjects.  The student will have the opportunity to complete the University IRB approval process.

            Upon approval from the IRB, the student will actually proceed to implement a data collection methodology.

 

VIII.     REQUIRED READING

1.         Domholdt, E (2000). Physical Therapy Research: Principles and Applications. 2nd Edition. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders.  ISBN # 0-7216-6963-8

 

2.         Portney , LG & Watkins, MP. (2000). Foundations of Clinical Research: Applications to Practice. 2nd Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.  ISBN # 0-8385-2695-0

 

            The Dean B. Ellis Library, through current holdings and access to inter-library loan, will serve as a repository of text and other documents.

            The student may find texts in research design, methodology, etc. to be useful.

 

     IX. COURSE OUTLINE

 

            I.          Statement of the Problem

                        a.         development of research question(s)

            II.         Development of a Research Hypothesis

            III.       Research Methodologies

IV.       Measurement and Scaling

            V.        Research Proposal and Defense

VI.       Protection of Human Subject / Institutional Review Boards                               

VII.      Interaction with Review Boards

            VIII.     Data Collection

            IX.       Funding

                        a.         internal

                        b.         external